Royal St George Yacht Club Cruising Group – June bank holiday cruise in company.

Five boats departed Dun Laoghaire at 7am on Friday 29^th May with two crews spending the Thursday night at the club pontoon.

The boats were Peter Bowring on Terra Nova, Brian Darcy on Margaux, Carl Fagan on Beleal, Peter Richardson on Dehliverence and Derek Ryan on Brizo. We were joined on the Saturday night at anchor by John White on Northern Soul.

We motor sailed to East Kish between the Kish and Bray banks led by Terra Nova and Margaux before turning off the engines and setting a course of 95 degrees for the Caernarfon safe water mark. The breeze filled in to a steady 12 to 16 knots from south southwest and we sailed at a steady 7 knots on a single tack across the Irish sea, arriving at Pilots Cove about 17.45. We waited until 7pm to cross the Caernarfon bar and the five boats rafted up in Victoria Dock marina about 5 miles up the Menai.

A hearty dinner was arranged in the Black Boy Inn with a couple of pints before retiring at a civilised hour.

High water of 10.10 on Saturday meant an early departure with the harbour master Ffion recommending we go at slack water so we departed at 9.30. Dehliverence, having had an issue with their anchor decided to remain at Caernarfon for the Saturday.

We had agreed to rendezvous with boats from the National Yacht Club ably led by Frank Cassidy at Porth Dinllaen at anchor for Saturday night.

Once back over the bar, Porth Dinllaen was 12 miles to the south across Caernarfon bay and while the wind was on the nose, it was a pleasant 10 to 12 knots and all but one boat chose to sail.

All four boats were at anchor by 2pm and the dinghy’s were inflated to go ashore. The Ty Coch Inn (Red House) bar is right on the beach and with the sun splitting the stones there was a fine crowd with families enjoying the sunshine. We settled into a few beers and food and awaited the National Yacht club boats that departed Dun Laoghaire that morning. The next boat to arrive was George member John White on Northern Soul at 3pm

Between 5pm and 6pm the National boats started to arrive with Jascah, Wave Dancer, The Blondie, BOD, and White Pearl. We also had Olga from the Irish.

Porth Dinllaen is a beautiful anchorage with good holding and despite 20 knots plus over night everyone had a comfortable night aboard because of the sheltered aspect.

Given the strong winds forecast for bank holiday Monday a decision was made early that we would return on the Sunday morning. Between 8am and 10.30am the boats gradually departed back across the Irish sea with everyone home by 8pm. It was a close reach, again on a single tack with average boat speed of 6.5 to 7 knots. The National boats convened in their Club while Terra Nova, Margaux and Brizo tied up on the Club pontoon. With the evening capped off with a few pints in McKennas.

For details as to who parked on a sandbank in the Menai or whose dinghy was recovered drifting in the dark by a National YC member attendance at the next cruise in company will be required.

A particular commendation to Carl Fagan on Beleal who did his first offshore passage two handed and acquitted himself with some distinction.

Until the next time.

The post George Cruising Group — Wales Bank Holiday Adventure appeared first on Royal St George Yacht Club.

We are delighted to welcome a very special guest to Dún Laoghaire and to Royal St. George Yacht Club — Pam Lee, one of Ireland’s leading offshore sailors and a truly phenomenal ambassador for the sport. 

Pam will be joining us ahead of her start in the Round Ireland Race, competing in Class 40 — one of the toughest and most demanding classes in offshore racing. There are two fantastic opportunities to meet her and hear her story, and we’d encourage every club member to come along. 

First — Saturday Evening, 14th June — Talk at the DMYC 

The weekend begins with a special open evening at the Dún Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club, where Pam is hosting a casual, welcoming event open to members of all the Dún Laoghaire clubs. She will be giving an adapted version of her recent TEDx talk, Oceans of Possibilities, and speaking about her inspiring #EmpowHer project. It promises to be a wonderful, thought-provoking, and thoroughly enjoyable evening. Families are very welcome. If you’re out sailing on Saturday, why not stroll over to the DMYC afterwards — you won’t regret it. 

Then — Sunday 15th June — Boat Visit at Royal St. George 

On Sunday 15th June, Pam and her Class 40 will be berthing at Royal St. George as our guests, where she will remain until the start of the Round Ireland Race. Come down to the club, step aboard, and see a truly serious offshore racing machine up close. Meet Pam, soak up the atmosphere, and experience what offshore racing at the highest level really looks and feels like. 

And don’t forget — the Spirit of Shackleton is also currently alongside at the club. Two extraordinary ocean-going vessels, right here at your club, at the same time. It is a wonderful reminder of what makes Royal St. George such a special place, and a real opportunity to extend that famous warm George welcome to our offshore sailing visitors. 

Come on down — see the boats, meet the sailors, and be part of it. 

All club members are warmly encouraged to visit. We hope to see you there! 

The post Welcome to Royal St. George, Pam Lee — Two Wonderful Events to Look Forward To appeared first on Royal St George Yacht Club.

We have a very special visitor on our pontoon right now, and all club members are warmly invited to come down and take a look. 

The Spirit of Shackleton — a magnificent Clipper 70 — is currently berthed at the club ahead of her next round Ireland voyage, and what a sight she is. This is a proper, serious ocean-going yacht. She has sailed the seven seas, will be serving as a training ship and research vessel, and over the coming years she will be doing it all again. 

This is a rare opportunity to step aboard a boat of this calibre right here at your own club. Come down, take your time, and get a real sense of what blue-water offshore sailing looks and feels like in person. The skipper and crew are on board and very happy to welcome visitors, answer questions, and share their passion for this wonderful vessel. 

We are very fortunate to have her alongside, and it would be a shame to miss her. Whether you’re a seasoned offshore sailor or simply curious about life on the open ocean, the Spirit of Shackleton is well worth a visit. 

The post The Spirit of Shackleton — Alongside at the Club appeared first on Royal St George Yacht Club.

Our adult sailing programme is well underway, with eight participants currently enjoying their third session and really getting to grips with the fundamentals. The energy and enthusiasm on the water has been brilliant to see! 

Training takes place on our club’s fleet of 1720s — a fantastic boat to learn on, responsive, fun, and perfect for building real sailing skills in a supportive environment. It’s a great way to get out on the water, meet new people, and discover just how enjoyable sailing can be. 

But it’s not just about learning the basics. Completing the course gives you the confidence and skills to step aboard as a capable, competent crew member — and our graduates are always in high demand among club members looking for good crew. It’s a brilliant pathway into the wider life of the club and everything it has to offer. 

Whether you’re a complete beginner, looking to refresh some rusty skills, or wanting to formalise what you already know — this course is for you. 

New courses start every few weeks, so there’s never a bad time to take the plunge. 

The post Learning to Sail as an Adult — It’s Never Too Late! appeared first on Royal St George Yacht Club.

This Saturday and Sunday, the club is running an Irish Sailing Powerboat Level 2 certification course — and there are still a few spots available! 

This practical, hands-on course will teach you everything you need to safely and confidently operate a powerboat or RIB. Over the two days you’ll cover safe boat handling, basic navigation, and the minimum requirements needed to take out a club boat — or venture further afield on your own. 

It’s a brilliant course, with plenty learned and plenty of fun had along the way. You’ll be out on the water, picking up real skills, and it’s a great way to meet fellow members too. Whether you’re new to powerboats or looking to formalise your experience with an official certification, this is the course for you. 

Places are limited, so don’t delay — get in touch or click below to book your spot and find out more. 

Powerboat Courses 2026

The post Powerboat Training Course — This Weekend at the Club appeared first on Royal St George Yacht Club.

It is safe to say that the George Invitational is rapidly establishing itself as one of the premier team racing events in Britain and Ireland. With a history stretching back to 1973, this year’s edition was a landmark occasion — and one that everyone at Royal St. George Yacht Club can be enormously proud of. 

Twenty-six teams, six sailors apiece, descended on the club over the bank holiday weekend, with fourteen visiting teams — drawn from the very best clubs across the UK and Ireland — warmly hosted by club members and their friends. That is the George welcome, and it never fails to impress. 

Over two days of fierce, fast, and brilliantly contested racing, Principal Race Officer David Bolger and his race management team delivered an astonishing 108 races on Saturday alone, with nearly 200 completed across the weekend in total. Conditions were challenging — light and patchy at times — but the racing was quick, sharp, and utterly compelling to watch. The levels of sailing ability and team racing skill on display were, quite simply, unbelievable. 

None of it happens without people, and this event had them in abundance. Over fifty volunteers gave their time and energy across the weekend. Our safety team were world class. Our shore-side changeover team of drivers were brilliant. Our beach team excelled in launching and recovering the fleet, with the Changeover Team & the beach management team keeping everything flowing smoothly. The Boathouse team and all those who worked tirelessly in the weeks beforehand to get the entire fleet serviced and race-ready deserve enormous credit — it was a significant undertaking, done without fuss and done brilliantly. 

After nine rounds on Saturday, George Jesters led the leaderboard on a narrow margin heading into Sunday. The final day brought more of the same intensity, with the leaderboard not settled until the very last races — a testament to the extraordinary depth of talent competing this year. 

Off the water, the craic was equally mighty. Saturday evening saw the pig on the spit make its first appearance of 2026, with a wonderful barbecue and barbeque bringing competitors and volunteers together in fine style. Entertainment followed, with live music and some spirited karaoke — before the piano was rolled into the Members’ Bar for a night of traditional Royal St. George fun that will not be forgotten in a hurry. 

The George Invitational continues to demonstrate exactly why it holds such a cherished place in the team racing calendar — combining top-class competition, exceptional race management, and the warm hospitality that makes this club so special. Royal St. George truly is, and continues to be, a home of team racing in Ireland. 

Full results and the final leaderboard are available on Raceflow, the event management platform created by club sailor Russell Bolger. 

A sincere and heartfelt thank you to every single volunteer, organiser, and helper who made this event the resounding success it was. You know who you are. 

The 2027 George Invitational takes place on 22–23 May 2027. Mark your calendars — you won’t want to miss it.

RSGYC GI MAY 2026 – Google Photos

The post George Invitational 2026 — Another Outstanding Chapter at Royal St. George appeared first on Royal St George Yacht Club.

A reminder — and an open invitation — to make full use of your club by berthing overnight. Our club pontoon is available for members wishing to stay aboard, subject to availability. Drop over, plug in, and enjoy the simple pleasure of relaxing on your boat at your own club, without the need to head home. Your home from home. 

Berthing is safe and secure in most conditions, though it is worth noting that the pontoon is exposed to any wind with a northerly element, so it’s always worth keeping an eye on the forecast before planning your stay. 

Once you’re tied up, come and enjoy everything the club has to offer — great food, drinks, and the warm hospitality that makes the RSGYC such a special place. The perfect way to round off a day on the water. 

Overnight berthing is allocated on a first come, first served basis and is typically limited to one night, ensuring fair access for all members. Extensions beyond one night may be arranged with permission from the Boathouse. 

To reserve a berth, simply contact the Boathouse directly at boathouse@rsgyc.ie, including your preferred overnight date and berth request. We’ll do our best to accommodate you! 

The post Overnight at Your Club — Why Not Stay? appeared first on Royal St George Yacht Club.

The George Cruising Group’s bank holiday trip to Wales last weekend was a resounding success, bringing together enthusiastic members for a memorable cruise over the long weekend. The event was superbly planned and organised by Derek Ryan and Brian Darcy, whose meticulous preparation ensured everything ran smoothly from start to finish. From the scenic Welsh coastline to the great craic on and off the water, the trip delivered everything a cruising adventure should — and more. A huge thank you to Derek and Brian for all their hard work, and to everyone who joined in for making it such a fantastic occasion. We’re already looking forward to the next one! 

The post George Cruising Group — Wales Bank Holiday Adventure appeared first on Royal St George Yacht Club.

The George Invitational Team Racing Regatta returns this weekend, and we are delighted to welcome 26 teams from across Ireland and the UK who will go head-to-head in one of the largest and most exciting team racing events in these islands. Competition for the George Invitational Trophy promises to be fierce, with world-class racing expected throughout.

Forecasts suggest warm weather and champagne sailing conditions — perfect for what is always a spectacular display on the water. As ever with this event, the action ashore will match that afloat, with a fantastic atmosphere and plenty of “craic” for competitors, members, and visitors alike.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming our visiting teams to the club and extending a true George welcome. A special thank you must go to our members who have generously offered accommodation for competitors and officials. This spirit of hospitality is a hallmark of the Royal St. George Yacht Club — bringing people together, building lasting friendships, and creating the unique sense of community that defines the George.

Racing is scheduled to get underway at 08:47 on Saturday morning. If you’d like to get involved, we are still looking for additional RIB drivers and shoreside volunteers — it’s a fantastic way to be part of the action. Whether afloat or ashore, team racing offers great fun and a brilliant atmosphere.

We encourage all members to come down, soak up the excitement, and support what promises to be a standout weekend at the club.

The post George Invitational Team Racing Regatta — Weekend Preview appeared first on Royal St George Yacht Club.

We are delighted to let members know that Spirit of Shackleton will be alongside the club pontoon for the next few weeks as she prepares for the Round Ireland Yacht Race. Members are warmly invited to come down, have a look and tour of this remarkable vessel, and learn more about the programme behind her… there might even be an opportunity to get afloat with her. Talk to Bob her Captain.

In addition, a very special and generous opportunity has been extended to our younger sailors. Members aged between 18 and 25 are invited to apply for the chance to crew aboard Spirit of Shackleton in the Round Ireland Race. This is a unique & very generous opportunity to be part of an incredible offshore sailing experience. Further details on this opportunity are  available here  — and interested eligible members should contact the Sailing Office to register their interest.

The post Spirit of Shackleton at the Club appeared first on Royal St George Yacht Club.